Coventry looking at Bantams loanee

The 19 year old centre back has been on loan at fellow League One side Bradford City this campaign and has been mightily impressive at the heart of The Bantams defence.

Coventry are now apparently interested in taking him to the Ricoh Arena on a loan deal, although Tony Mowbray admits that he has hit a dead end in his search for a dominant centre half.

The Sky Blues are set to sign ex Newcastle defender Peter Ramage to bolster a back four ravaged by injuries, but he would still like to bring in another defender, probably on loan, to help with City’s promotion push.

Coventry have lost Reda Johnson and loanee Ben Turner to injury this season.

A player who is apparently on Mowbray’s radar is Burke, the 19 year old, who has been schooled by West Ham.

He has been superb for Bradford City this season and has just ended his loan spell at the club, although The Bantams remain keen on signing him again.

The teenager is out for up to three weeks after suffering a bad cut against Gillingham last Saturday, which could prove a stumbling block for the club.

Mowbray, speaking on his search for a centre back admitted:

“We’ve looked and looked but I’m not sure that dominant guy is out there for us at the moment.”

“The Ben Turner situation was almost a unique one for us really with my relationship with Russell Slade and the fact that it was of benefit for Cardiff and the boy.”

“That was the ideal scenario for us, having a main man who enjoyed heading the ball but we have spent enough time over the last few weeks looking and it’s very difficult to find the right one.”

“If the right one comes along because someone signs a player and then one becomes surplus and we hear on the grapevine that someone’s available then we might do something. We’ll keep looking but we can’t magic one out of thin air.”

When asked about Burke, Mowbray said:

“I don’t like talking about other people’s players. He’s a West Ham player who has been at Bradford. We’re just looking at all options and I have looked at maybe four centre-halves this morning.”

“Lots of players have been on our radar. That’s what I have been doing all morning, been in since 7.30am looking at players.”

“The secret is to pick the right ones. With centre-halves, whether they are 17 or 37 you have to try to get one that fits what you want. It’s like a piece of your jigsaw so he doesn’t have to be 29, 6ft 4 and played in the Championship.”

“Ideally they’re all 6ft 4ins, lightning fast, can pass the ball and are really composed. They aren’t about, they’re all in the Premier League.”

“What we want is ideally dominant, can win headers, pass the ball to a sky blue shirt and understands the information given to him and how we play. You don’t know what loan players are going to be like until you get them on the grass and are talking to them.”

“Sometimes everything you say goes over their head and they haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about and then you think, ‘God, I’ve made a mistake.”

“Or, someone comes in and clicks straight away, so loans can be a bit hit and miss.”

Coventry have been superb in League One this season and are fourth in League One, only three points off Gillingham in second.